DES MOINES – “And the Oscars go to…Branstad, Ernst, Upmeyer, Blum and King,” says Progress Iowa, in its relentless pursuit to shame and humiliate conservative politicians who seem to easily win re-election to office in election after election.
“Tonight, stars and celebrities will honor the best in movies over the past year. Today, Progress Iowa announced the winners of the 2015 Academy Awards of Extreme Iowa, in order to recognize and hold accountable Iowa’s most extreme politicians.
“These politicians represent the far right in Iowa, and have earned the dubious distinction of the 2015 Academy Awards of Extreme Iowa,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Unfortunately there were a number of potential award winners, but from underfunding Iowa schools to embarrassing our state on a national stage, these five are by far the most deserving.”
Progress Iowa singled out:
Terry Branstad, in The Clarinda Shutdown: for worst denial of public input
After proposing to close mental health institutes in Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant without legislative input, Governor Terry Branstad received a strong rebuke from Republican Representative Dave Heaton: “I think the governor is violating the budgetary process,” Heaton says. “He’s making a unilateral decision without input from the legislature…He’s saying: ‘I just want to close ‘em.’ And that’s not right.” [Source: Radio Iowa]
Linda Upmeyer in The K-12 Disaster: for worst performance on behalf of Iowa Schools
Iowa House Republicans, led by Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, are sticking with their inadequate proposal to fund Iowa schools at a 1.25% increase, which will lead to Iowa being ranked 40th in the country in per-student spending. [Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette]
Joni Ernst, in SOTU Response: for worst performance on a national stage
During her response to the State of the Union, newly elected Senator Joni Ernst embarrassed herself and Iowans on the national stage. Ernst refused to offer a single new policy idea, and instead spent her time spinning yarns and telling stories that earned her ridicule from local and national media. [Sources: Cedar Rapids Gazette, The New Yorker, Salon]
Steve King, lifetime achievement: for most shameful congressman in Iowa history
Congressman Steve King has consistently embarrassed Iowans during his time in office. From comparing immigrants to dogs, calling immigrants drug smugglers, and saying he doesn’t expect to meet gay people in heaven, King has a long track record of shameful statements that do not truly represent Iowa values. [Source: ThinkProgress]
Rod Blum, in Strange Bedfellows: for best support of an extreme agenda
After winning election and campaigning as a moderate, Congressman Rod Blum cast his first vote in support of Steve King’s choice for Speaker of the House. Blum appears to be following in lock step with King’s extreme agenda during his first months in office. [Source: The Des Moines Register]
What kind of childish B.S. is this? I guess we should expect nothing else from a unprofessional group like this. They LOST and they just can’t accept that the people of Iowa are tired of their lies.
Boy, this crap should be for members only.